First, it was Swat, and now hundreds of residents of Wana, the South Waziristan tribal district’s capital, have risen against the recent outbreak of terrorism in the area and demanded that the civil administration uphold its obligations to bring about peace. Thousands of people took to the streets under the Wana Siyasi Ittihad, which is also planning an enormous gathering known as the “peace march” in the coming days if there is no respite from the attacks. Rally attendees marched from the Wana Bazar and gathered close to the Javid Sultan camps while carrying black flags. We remember that in September, people protested against terrorism after the scenic valley was overrun by the Taliban. In August, there were rumours of the Taliban returning to Swat and films showing members of the outlawed group holding government employees captive. The head of the Aman Committee, Idrees Khan, was attacked on September 13. In the ensuing days, seven other individuals, including two police officers and a kid, died along with him. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) quickly claimed responsibility for this heinous deed after the attack.
Wana has suffered a lot, like Swat, during the war on terrorism. Members of the PTI, Jamaat-e-Islami, and other political parties demanded the release of parliamentarian Ali Wazir, as well as adequate security for the general public, contractors, and traders. Moreover, kidnappings for ransom are rising while armed groups are operating in the district. Recently, a contractor was kidnapped from the Wana market. He has yet to be released. It is high time the civil government carried out its duties to uphold the region’s peace and order along with the military officials. The region was recently declared a federal territory, and since then it was being hoped that the affairs of the area would be regulated. But the rise of the Taliban in Swat and later in Wana shows the police system should be improved, and its authority and privileges expanded. Also, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government representatives should talk to the people of Wana so that, in consultation with the locals, an effective strategy can be made to check law and order.
